Over
the past few years I have noticed a trend in companies and
researchers looking at how the health and well-being of employees is
affected by the workplace.
As
office employees spend a lot, if not all of their time inside a
building and at their desk it makes sense that the physical
environment they are confined to can influence their well-being and
happiness which in turn affects their work performance and
productivity.
Employees
who are happy and have a positive work area are more likely to be
productive and perform well. Likewise employees who hate their work
environment are more likely to perform poorly, not be as passionate
about their work and be unproductive.
Whilst
outside factors and overall happiness and well-being of an employee
(which can affect workplace productivity) is not the responsibility
of an employer and completely out of their control, an employer can
do their best to provide a good working environment for their staff
which is designed to foster productivity.
A
number of things can influence a positive work environment -
temperature, air quality, noise, lighting, space, quality of office
supplies and office furniture.
For
example, incorporating both natural and artificial light provides the
best balance of lighting. Dim lighting has been known to lower
productivity and mood whilst harsh artificial lighting especially
fluorescent lighting with no natural light can cause headaches. A
bright office with plenty of natural light can help keep employees
happy, focused and relaxed.
Having
worked in a number of offices - most of which were very poor in
quality and practicality, dull and uninspiring which did have an
effect on mine and my colleagues’ productivity - today I wanted to
share my views and favourite picks of office furniture.
Reception
With
a reception area within a business being the first impressions of a
company it is in my view important to create a welcoming, friendly
and relaxed area that also looks professional and of high quality.
Having those values in mind when designing your reception area will
help convey that the company mirrors those same qualities and values.
A welcoming desk and comfortable setting helps achieve a great
reception area.
For
a strong traditional and luxurious feel this Classical reception desk
is perfect.
For
an office with a modern style this Crystal or GLOW reception desk is
a great option.
Office
seating
To
help ensure staff are happy and relaxed in the workplace it it
important to provide them with comfortable office chairs. With many
styles of office chairs available on the market including designer,
executive and office staple operator chairs there is a design and
style chair available for all office styles. Providing a comfortable,
supportive and practical office chair will help boost the staff’s
well-being which in turn will improve workplace productivity.
Office
desks
When
looking for office desks the styles and designs available are very
varied with options including integrated workstations, executive desks, bench desks, adjustable height, standalone desks and
partitioned desks. If you want a modern design look at contemporary office furniture and for those who prefer traditional furniture
considering classic office desks for an authentic traditional style.
For
an open office space I love this Sanctum office desk range as it
provides privacy when needed whilst still offering opportunity to
collaborate with colleagues. The range of styles and configurations
available also provide character and a splash of colour to brighten
up offices.
For
tips on office furniture to help productivity take a look at Calibre
Office Furniture’s recent blog post about clever office hacks to boost workplace productivity - I also champion adding a touch of
nature to an office to help create a relaxed atmosphere in the
workplace.
* In
collaboration with Calibre Furniture - Images courtesy of Calibre Office Furniture *
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